Scientists add bacteria to a waste gas reactor – what happened next is nearly impossible

In a laboratory in Norway, scientists have achieved something that sounds like science fiction: turning industrial waste gases into clean, usable fuel. Researchers at the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO) added specialised bacteria to a reactor and watched as carbon dioxide and hydrogen transformed into nearly pure methane , exceeding 96 per cent purity. This biologically produced methane could be used in existing natural gas systems, storing surplus renewable electricity and replacing fossil fuels. The experiment demonstrates how living organisms, guided carefully in engineered environments, might help solve one of humanity’s biggest challenges: converting pollution into energy.


The bacteria behind the breakthrough
The secret behind this breakthrough is a special type of microbe called hydrogenotrophic methanogens. These tiny organisms, invisible to the naked eye, have a remarkable ability: they can take hydrogen and carbon dioxide, two common gases, and turn them into methane, a usable fuel. Inside the reactor, the bacteria grow on plastic surfaces in thin layers called biofilms, forming a tightly-knit community that works together efficiently, almost like a miniature factory, producing methane continuously.

Dr Lu Feng , the lead scientist on the project, explained that by carefully introducing these microbes into the reactor, the team was able to guide the chemical reactions in the right direction. This meant they could produce methane at extremely high purity without needing harsh chemicals, high temperatures, or extreme pressures. Essentially, the bacteria do all the hard work naturally, turning waste gases into energy in a way that is far cleaner and more energy-efficient than traditional industrial methods.


Inside the reactor: Turning waste gas into clean fuel
The reactor setup was designed to maximise contact between gases and microbes. As gas rose through the column, a thin film of liquid continuously circulated, feeding hydrogen and carbon dioxide to the biofilm communities. These microbes converted the gases into methane without needing high pressure, extreme heat, or chemical catalysts.

The trickle-bed design also helped overcome one of the biggest challenges: hydrogen’s poor solubility in water. By maintaining constant movement and surface contact, the system ensured the microbes had a steady supply of reactants. This efficiency allowed the team to achieve pipeline-grade methane, a level typically requiring complex chemical processes.


Smarter microbial teamwork
Unlike random bacterial growth, the biofilm community inside the reactor was structured and stable. The microbes supported one another, sharing nutrients and protecting each other from environmental stress. When hydrogen was plentiful, methane-producing species dominated the reaction, while supporting bacteria maintained balance by recycling nutrients and stabilising pH levels.

This cooperation gave the system resilience, enabling it to restart after pauses and maintain production even under variable gas flow. The microbes essentially turned the reactor into a living, self-regulating energy factory.

The future of clean fuel
The implications of this breakthrough are vast. Reactors like this could be deployed at cement plants, wastewater treatment facilities, or biogas stations to capture and convert CO₂ emissions into clean methane fuel. The process operates at moderate temperatures and near-ambient pressure, keeping energy costs low and efficiency high.

While scaling up remains a challenge, the study published in Bioresource Technology demonstrates that bacteria can turn pollution into power. With continued innovation, this approach could bridge renewable energy and industrial recycling, transforming one of humanity’s biggest problems, carbon emissions, into a sustainable energy solution.